Inflatable air container for footballs, etc.



" Feb. 19; `1929; f 1,702,981

' rM. B. REACH INFLATABLE AI CONTAINER. FOR FOOTBALLS, ETC

Filed April 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jn lian lfeach,

Feb. 19, 192.9. v

M. B. REACH j NFLATABLE AIR CONTAINER FOR FOOTBALLS, AETC Filed April 5, leze I zsneets-sngex 2 Anya.

Patented Feb. A19, 19u29.

UNITED STATES 1,702,981 PATENT orrlc.

M'IIIlON' B. REACH, OF SIRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO A. G. SPALD- ING BROS., OF CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.

INFLATABLE AIB CONTAINER FOR FOOTBALLS, ETC.

Application led April 5, 1928. Serial No. SIB'IM.`

My said invention relates more particularly to improvements in the valve constructions of air inflatable bodies such as the bladders of foot balls, punching bags and other artic-les in which an infiatable rubber bladder or air container is confined and expanded within an outer casing.

The invention aims to provide a simple form of valve construction which will effect a permanent air tight seal or in other words be proof against leakage; which may be economically manufactured and incorporated in the bag or bladder; which Will enable the ready connection of the inflating pump; and which will provide the minimum amount of projection from the surface of the bag.

With these and other objects in View the invention includes the novel features of construction and arrangement of 'parts hereinafter described, the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

What I at present consider the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: i

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a foot ball bladder embodying my improved valve.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale.

Figs. 3 to 6 are detail views.

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the inner disk member of Fig. 7.

Referring by reference characters to this drawing the numeral 1 designates the bladder which may be of the ordinary or any desired type composed of expansible or elastic rubber.

To the face of this at the desired point is secured a rubber disk member 2 constituting a reinforcement which has embedded in the upper face thereof a thin metal plate 3, provided with upstanding bosses or projections 3a. The metal plate is apertured in line with the bosses as indicated at 3* and the rubber disk 2 and bladder 1 have holes alining with the apertures 3b as indicated at 2b and 1b respectively whereby ports are provided passing through the metal plate 3, disk 2 and bladder Wall 1. The plate 3 may be vulcanized in the upper surface of disk 2 with its upper surface (barring the projecting bosses) -flush therewith, and the disk 2 may likewise' be vulcanized to the bladder wall 1.

Another rubber disk 4a has embedded therein a metal plate or disk 5 which has an upstanding tubular nipple 6 integrally con nected therewith which is threaded forengagement with the inflating pump or pump tube by the customary coupling means, and which disk 4a is superposed on and secured to a rubber disk 4. This nipple 6 has its bore communicating by a passa e through the plate 5 and underlying the ruIiber disk 4; with the space between the disks 4 and 2, which space is closed by reason of the fact that the margin of disk 4 is vulcanized or similarly permanently secured to the marginal portion of disk 2.

It will be noticed that the ports or passages through the parts -l, 2 and 3 are out of line with the passage throughthe infiating nipple 6. When the pump has been connected to the nipple 6 and air forced into the same, the y pressure causes the central unsecured portion of disk 4 to separate from the underlying portion of disk 2 and hence the portions which normally rest upon the upper ends of the nipples (which are preferably beveled as shown) are lifted away from the same and air is free to fiow from the nipple into the interior of the bag. When the action of the pump is discontinued or it is disconnected from the nipple the internal pressure of the air bag immediately forces the nipples 3* outward against the imperforate portions of disk or layer 4, which, being of soft rubber, effects an air-tight seal.

While I have shown a single air supply opening and a pair of non-alined inner openings I do not limit myself to this arrangement.

While I have referred to arts being vulcanized together itwill be o vious lthat this may be accomplished, where' found more con-` venient, by the use of a rubber cement.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the sealing or valve member is placed on the inside of the bag or bladder wall which in this' instance is designated 1x.

. The pump nipple 6x is secured to the outside face of the bladder by the rubber disks 4x and 4V, While the plate 3x is carried by the rubber disk member 2x which has its margin secured to the inside face of the bag or bladder.

In this form the portion or disk 2x in effect constitutes a bladder wall -portion while the nipple carrying part overlying the same is the full equivalent of the elements 4 and 4% Where the parts are united by vulcanization y j 1,702,991 y the respective rubber layers are of course y homogeneously united.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. An expansible rubber air container for inflatable bodies of the character described having embedded in a wall portion thereof a disk of relatively hard material havin an inlet opening surrounded by an upstan in iange, a iexible wall portion adjacent sai opening and sealed to said wall portion around said opening, said adjacent wall portion having an a1r admission opening displacedl with reference to said inlet opening.

2. An expansible rubber air container for inflatable bodies of the character described having embedded in a wall portion thereof a disk of relatively hard material having an inlet opening surrounded by an upstanding flange, a fiexible rubber wall member adjacent said openin and sealedl to said Wall porl tion around sai opening, said wall member v tion and the overlying member at a point remote fromnthe air inlet opening.

4. expansible rubber air container for chamber, one of sai playing balls and the like having at one part thereof a wall portion formed of two layers sealed together to provide an intermediate layers having an 'aperture for pump connection and the other a stiffening plate with one or more non-alined apertures surrounded by raised annular ianges adapted under internal pressure to become embedded in the other wall portion.

5. An ex ansible rubber air container for playin balls and' the like having at one part thereo a wall portion formed of two la ers sealed together to provide an interme iate chamber, one of said layers having an aperture for pump connection and the other one or more non-alined apertures surrounded by annular anges adapted under internal pres- Sure to become embedded' in the other wall portion, said raised ianges being of hard naterial provided with relatively sharp e ges.

6. In combination with a rubber foot ball bladder having a plurality of openin s therein, a rubber disk secured thereto, an having embedded in its upper face a metal disk, said plate and disk having apertures alining with the openings in the bladder, and said disk having upstanding nipples, a second rubber disk having embedded therein a metal plate provided with a nipple for pump attachment, said disk being of a size to overlie the nipples and being covered by rubber whereby the rubber covering is opposed to the nipple ends, said second rubber disk having its margin projected beyond the metal plate and secured to the rst named disk.

In testimony whereof, I ax my signature.

MILTON B. REACH. 

